A panel of economic development leaders representing the Pioneer Valley's urban core of Springfield, Chicopee, Westfield and Holyoke came together last week to discuss a recent report issued by MassINC's Gateway City Innovation Institute on Transformative Development. The report - Rebuilding Renewal: An Analysis of State Investment in Gateway Cities and a Work Plan for Delivering Transformative Development – was co-authored by Northampton resident Dan Hodge, principal of Hodge Economic Consulting, who presented its findings to a packed room at Make-It Springfield on Worthington Street. The full report is embedded below.

Quotes

Despite increased levels of investment and programs aimed at Gateway Cities like Springfield and Holyoke, we are still not seeing a recovery in real estate values and the number of building permits being pulled in those communities to their pre-recession levels.

Our urban centers have transformed over the past few decades and we as government leaders have to look at ways where public-private partnerships can spur new investments and opportunities.